Barcelona beat Betis 5-2 to extend perfect LaLiga start to nine matches
Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in Seville as Barcelona moved five points clear. AFP reported that the win set a club record and matched the league's best start.
Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2 at La Cartuja in Seville on Saturday, 17 October, extending its perfect LaLiga start to nine matches and opening a five-point lead at the top of the table. AFP reported that the run set a Barcelona club record for wins at the start of a league season and equalled the competition's opening-run record.
How Barcelona beat Real Betis 5-2
Lamine Yamal put Barcelona ahead in the 10th minute, turning away from Facundo Bernal at the edge of the area before curling a shot into the top corner, according to AFP. Betis equalised before the half-hour when Valentín Gómez headed in a cross from Pablo Fornals. Rodri restored Barcelona's lead with a header from a corner.
Giovani Lo Celso then had a long-range effort ruled out after a handball by Cucho Hernández earlier in the move, AFP reported. Gabriel Jesus extended Barcelona's lead six minutes into the second half from a Yamal cut-back, before Ez Abde scored for Betis. Bernal was sent off soon afterwards for a headbutt on Yamal; the Barcelona winger was booked for his part in the confrontation.
Eric García scored Barcelona's fourth from close range after Pau Cubarsí headed the ball across goal. Substitute Dani Olmo completed the scoring with a shot from the edge of the area. AFP said it was the eighth time this season that Hansi Flick's side had scored at least four goals in a match.
Barcelona's nine-win start and LaLiga standings
AFP said Barcelona's nine straight league wins surpassed its previous best start and matched the mark set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 season. The team has won all 11 of its matches across competitions, according to AFP. Reuters reported that Barcelona had scored 39 league goals through its first nine games.
Barcelona has 27 points, five more than second-placed Atlético Madrid, which won 1-0 at Espanyol earlier on Saturday. Betis is third on 19 points, while Real Madrid is fourth on 18 before hosting Sevilla on Sunday, Reuters reported. Betis rested several players, including Isco, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match against Feyenoord, according to AFP.
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Sources and context
- Barca keep perfect LaLiga record with five-goal romp at BetisReuters, republished by Channel NewsAsia
- Unstoppable Barca thrash Betis to extend perfect startAFP, republished by Yahoo Sports
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.